North East holidaymakers planning to jet off around the world could hit problems as one of Iceland’s largest volcanoes could be on the verge of erupting.

Iceland’s Met Office say they are keeping a close eye on the volcano Katla following a four-fold increase in tremors at the site.

Two earthquakes measuring 4.5 and 4.6 in magnitude rocked the volcano’s crater earlier this week and Met Office officials say more than 100 ‘shallow seated earthquakes’ have also been detected since June 1 this year – four times the monthly average.

Holidaymakers are braced for potential chaos in case there’s a repeat of the eruption in 2010 when Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano caused 100,000 flights across the UK to be disrupted.

However, Newcastle Airport Operations Director Richard Knight said the airport has contingency plans in place.

He said: “Based upon what happened in 2010, the Civil Aviation Authority has put arrangements in place to minimise any disruption in the event of significant volcanic activity.

“In partnership with organisations such as NATS, the Met Office and airlines, the CAA has developed improved forecasting of ash density and a new system of regulating airspace. That said, there are no current or forecast restrictions on airspace affecting Newcastle Airport.”

The eruption in 2010 caused a massive ash cloud that caused the cancellation of 100,000 flights across the UK and Newcastle Airport had to cancel all its flights from the region at the time.

Flights had to be cancelled following fears that particles from the volcano’s lava could melt in aircraft engines and cause turbines to become clogged.

The eruption of Eyjafjallajokull saw thousands of Brits stranded across the continent. Royal Navy ships were tasked to help get people home and the Channel Tunnel put on extra trains.

In a statement the Icelandic Met Office said: “Since mid-June, earthquake activity within the caldera of the ice-covered Katla volcano has increased above background levels.

“More than 100 shallow-seated earthquakes have been detected in Katla caldera since June 1, which is almost four times the monthly average compared to previous years.

“Earthquakes occurred mainly in bursts ranging from minutes to hours, often with 20 events or more.

“We continue to monitor Katla closely and will issue updates on IMO’s web-site if the situation intensifies.”

Katla, located on the southern coast, stands at 1,450 metres tall and last erupted in 2011.

There were eruptions in 1999 and 1955 but none of these were strong enough to break the ice covering its 10km wide crater.

The last major eruption of the volcano was in 1918 and caused ash to spew into the air for nearly five weeks.